Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act

This bill extends funding through 2029 for a government program that gives grants to nonprofit organizations so they can help people in rural areas start, grow, or improve cooperatives and other businesses that are owned by their members. It lets the Department of Agriculture give extra points to grant applicants who promise to cover at least 25% of costs using private money or donated resources. The bill also spells out what "cooperative development" means, including things like outreach, education, training, and hands-on help for cooperatives. Additionally, it requires a working group to report to Congress each year and requires the Department of Agriculture to study and share data on how cooperatives affect the national economy.

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